ISLAMABAD: Millions of more children will be inoculated against the crippling disease of poliomyelitis on the second day (Tuesday) of a three-day campaign aimed at bringing he incidence of the disease down to zero across the country, Geo News reported.
The campaign kicked off on Monday to administer polio vaccine drops to children under five in a bid to eradicate the disease so that no more young ones are handicapped for life.
According to an official of Prime Minister's Polio Monitoring Cell, 34 million children will be immunized against polio by 77,072 house-to-house teams during the drive.
He said each team comprises two members while 9,704 special fixed centres are also providing vaccination facility. Besides this 5,497 special transit teams are working to cover children travelling during campaign days, mobile and migrant populations.
He said the federal government provided 39.1 million doses of polio vaccine to the provinces and Deputy Commissioners have been directed to lead the campaign.
He commented the Prime Minister has requested all parliamentarians to supervise and support the campaign in their constituencies. Chief ministers, Governors and political and religious leaders inaugurated the campaign in their respective provinces and areas.
Motorway police is providing vaccination services on all toll plazas throughout the country. The drive in three districts of Balochistan included Quetta, Killa Abdulah and Pishin will be held on May 7 whereas date for campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will be announced soon.
He said that if any child is missed during the campaign his or her parents may contact on helpline number for immediate response from immunization teams. He argued that the main focus will be on most vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, the provincial health departments have asked all health workers and volunteers to leave no stone unturned in reaching every child. They also requested parents to make sure that all their children under five years of age receive the polio vaccine during the three day campaign.
